Recent News
Cover Crop Toolbox: ICCON Features STAR Tool
On January 8, 2025 ICCON was joined by Natalie Kerr, STAR Coordinator for the state of Illinois, to learn about the STAR program and how and why farmers should consider enrolling their fields in the program. Saving Tomorrow’s Agriculture Resources (STAR) was founded in 2017 by Steve Stierwalt and Joe Rothermel – both farmers from Champaign County, advocates for conservation,...
Final Reflections and Lessons from Retailer Cover Crop Trials
In a previous ISAP blog post, we introduced a trial partnership between Illini FS and The Nature Conservancy, with funding from the Illinois Soybean Association. Using Illini FS cover crop drilling and Nu-tracker soil testing services, we implemented seven split-field cover crop trials. These plots were subjected to three rounds of soil and plant tissue testing to better educate retailers...
We are Living in the Future: Reflections on a Changing Climate
One of my favorite artists is John Prine, a notable country-folk musician who was born in Illinois and had an amazing way of writing lyrics that make you think. Lately, I’ve been thinking about the chorus of his song “Living in the Future.” “We are living in the future. I'll tell you how I know. I read it in the...
Cultivating Connections on Ag Day at the Illinois State Fair
By: Jean McGuire and Rachel Lechuga More than 60 agriculture and conservation professionals, gathered on Ag Day at the Illinois State Fair to connect, collaborate, and learn from one another and leave with new tools to carry out continued work in support of sustainability throughout Illinois agriculture. Sponsored by Midwest Dairy, the event kicked off a furious round of networking...
A “Restorative” ISAP Gathering at the Dixon Waterfowl Refuge
Back in June, the quarterly ISAP partner meeting was hosted by The Wetlands Initiative (TWI) at their farmhouse located within TWI’s Sue & Wes Dixon Waterfowl Refuge at Hennepin & Hopper Lakes in Hennepin, IL. After the business portion of the meeting, members were given the opportunity to see and learn more about the Refuge. TWI acquired this 3,000-acre site...
Considerations to take for Fall Cover Crop Seed Application
Cover crop seeding for corn and soybeans is just around the corner, so it's time to give some consideration to how you will get them applied this fall. There are several ways to seed cover crops, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. You will need to learn what works best for you, your soil, climate, cropping system, and operation....